Cistus plant named &#39;Dunnecis&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  CISTUS  plant named ‘DUNNECIS’ that is characterized by compact clump-forming habit becoming prostrate with age, bright golden variegated foliage, and pure white saucer shaped flowers which bloom from early summer until fall. In combination these traits set ‘DUNNECIS’ apart from all other existing varieties of  CISTUS  known to the inventor.

GENUS, SPECIES

CISTUS×hybridus

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘DUNNECIS’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(f)of the application for a grant of European Community Plant BreedersRights which was filed for the instant plant variety on Aug. 21, 2009,Application Number 2009/1560.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCistus×hybridus (which is a synonym for Cistus×corbariensis) commonlyknown as white rock rose which is grown for use as an ornamentalhalf-hardy shrub. The new cultivar is known botanically asCistus×hybridus and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name‘DUNNECIS’.

‘DUNNECIS’ was discovered as a naturally occurring branch sport at theinventor's nursery in County Kildare, Ireland, in 2005. The sport wasfound on a single plant of Cistus×corbariensis (species, unpatented)which the inventor was maintaining as a mother stock plant at hisnursery. The inventor observed that the branch sport exhibitedattractive bright golden yellow variegated foliage. The inventor removedthe branch sport and was able to make four stem cuttings which theinventor rooted in 2005 and observed in 2006 for uniformity and truenessto type. During 2006, the inventor found that the rooted cuttings hadproduced plants which were identical in to the parent plant in allrespects except for the variegation of the foliage.

The closest comparison plant known to the inventor is CISTUS ‘Rencis’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,410) which is also variegated. ‘DUNNECIS’ isdistinguishable from ‘Rencis’ as follows: Whereas ‘DUNNECIS’ exhibitsbright golden leaf margins, the leaf margins of ‘Rencis’ are yellow tocreamy white. In addition the leaves of ‘DUNNECIS’ are approximatelyone-third smaller than the leaves of ‘Rencis’ and the mature habit of‘DUNNECIS’ is markedly more prostrate than ‘Rencis’. Whereas ‘Rencis’achieves a height of approximately 1.5 meters and a spread of 1.2meters, the mature height of ‘DUNNECIS’ is approximately 0.5 meters witha spread of approximately 1 meter.

The cultural requirements of ‘DUNNECIS’ are planting in well drainedsoil in full sun. Once established, plants of ‘DUNNECIS’ are droughttolerant and when in flower are attractive to bees and butterflies.

The first asexual reproduction of ‘DUNNECIS’ was conducted by theinventor in 2005 at the inventor's nursery in County Kildare, Ireland.The method used for asexual propagation was softwood cuttings. Thecharacteristics of the new cultivar have been determined stable and arereproduced true to type in successive generations.

From 2005 until 2009, the inventor continued to build up stocks of‘DUNNECIS’ at his nursery. All plants of ‘DUNNECIS’ remained under theinventor's control until the first sales which occurred on Jul. 8, 2009.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thecharacteristics of ‘DUNNECIS’. These traits in combination distinguish‘DUNNECIS’ from all other commercial varieties of CISTUS known to theinventor. ‘DUNNECIS’ has not been tested under all possible conditionsand phenotypic differences may be observed with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions, without however, anydifference in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘DUNNECIS’ grows with a compact clump-forming habit, becoming        prostrate with age.    -   2. After one year, a plant of ‘DUNNECIS’ is 30 cm in height        (including the flowers) and 30 cm in diameter.    -   3. After four years of growth, the foliage mound of a plant of        DUNNECIS’ is 0.5 meter in height and 1.0 meter in diameter.    -   4. ‘DUNNECIS’ bears medium green foliage with bright golden        yellow margins.    -   5. The flowers of ‘DUNNECIS’ are saucer shaped and are white        with a pronounced orange centre.    -   6. ‘DUNNECIS’ commences flowering in May and continues        throughout summer and into fall.    -   7. ‘DUNNECIS’ is hardy to USDA Zone 9.    -   8. ‘DUNNECIS’ is drought tolerant once established.    -   9. ‘DUNNECIS’ attracts bees and butterflies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew variety ‘DUNNECIS’ showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thedrawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors ofthe new variety ‘DUNNECIS’. All of the plants in the drawings were grownout of doors in County Kildare, Ireland.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 depicts a one year of plant of ‘DUNNECIS’which is planted in a 20 cm diameter container and is in its new springgrowth and prior to flowering. The drawing labeled FIG. 2 depicts aclose-up view of the foliage of ‘DUNNECIS’. This drawing was made from aplant in spring growth although the color and variegation of ‘DUNNECIS’persists through summer into fall.

The drawing labeled FIG. 3 depicts a mature 3 year old plant of‘DUNNECIS’ which is growing in the border soil. The illustrated plant isin its mid summer flowering. The drawing labeled FIG. 4 depicts aclose-up view of the flower of ‘DUNNECIS’ in summer.

The drawings were made using conventional techniques and although colorsmay appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance theyare as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of ‘DUNNECIS’. Data wascollected from one year old plants in their first season of growth,grown in 10 cm container out of doors in Santa Barbara, Calif.Additional references to the description of a mature plant have beenmade by the inventor using plants which are established at his nurseryin County Kildare, Ireland. The color determinations are in accordancewith the 2007 Fifth Edition of the Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, except where general color termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. Growing conditions,diseases and pests are similar to that of other CISTUS.

-   Botanical classification: CISTUS ‘DUNNECIS’.-   Species:×hybridus.-   Commercial classification: half-hardy shrub.-   Use: Ornamental.-   Cultural requirements: Plant in well drained soil in full sun.-   Parentage: ‘DUNNECIS’ originated as a branch sport on a plant of the    species Cistus×corbariensis.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant habit.—Compact clump-forming, becoming prostrate when            mature.        -   Dimensions.—One year old plant: 30 cm in height (including            the flowers), 30 cm in diameter. Mature (four years old)            plant: 0.5 meter in height (excluding the flowers), 1.0            meter in diameter.        -   Blooming period.—From May through summer and into fall.        -   Lastingness of an individual flower (on the plant).—1- 3            days.        -   Cold hardiness.—Hardy in U.S.D.A. Zone 9 and higher.        -   Heat tolerance.—Tolerates full sun and 35° C. in low to            moderate humidity. Does not tolerate hot and humid            continental conditions.        -   Pest and diseases resistance or susceptibility.—None known            to the inventor.        -   Root description.—Fibrous.        -   Propagation.—Softwood stem cuttings.        -   Crop time.—12-15 months from a cutting, in a 1 liter            container.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate.-   Stem description:    -   -   Shape.—Round.        -   Stem color.—New growth 144D, maturing to 163C.        -   Stem dimensions.—15 cm in length and 2 mm in width.        -   Stem surface.—Smooth with sparse pubescence; hairs very            fine, light gray, 1 mm-2 mm in length.        -   Internode length.—1.0-1.5 cm.        -   Branching.—Vigorous: lateral branches form at every node.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Leaf shape.—Ovate.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf base.—Cordate.        -   Leaf apex.—Acute.        -   Leaf fragrance.—None.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnate, markedly impressed, color 191A.        -   Leaf margins.—Denticulate and ciliate; hairs fine, light            gray, 0.5 mm in length.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Leaf surface.—Upper surface smooth; lower surface            puberulent, many very fine short hairs, less than 0.1 mm in            length, appear light gray to silver.        -   Leaf size.—2.5 cm-3.5 cm in length; 1.5-1.8 cm in width.        -   Leaf variegation pattern.—Approximately one-third to            two-thirds of the leaf surface exhibits golden yellow            margins which extend from 2 mm to 4 mm inward from leaf            margin, except that the yellow gold margin is very narrow            (less than 1 mm in width) at the leaf base and apex. The            remaining green central portion of each leaf is            predominantly mid-green with small gray-green patches.        -   Leaf colors (upper surface).—Margin: 154B as leaf emerges,            becoming 4A. Center: Predominantly 143A, with small patches            194C.        -   Leaf colors (lower surface).—Margin: 154B as leaf emerges,            becoming 4A. Center: Predominantly 143A, with small patches            194C.        -   Petioles.—Dimensions: 0.4-0.6 mm in length; 1 mm in            diameter. Color 144D. Surface: Smooth with sparse            pubescence; hairs very fine, light gray, 1 mm-2 mm in            length.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Flowers borne singly.        -   Flower buds.—Dimensions: Length 7 mm; diameter 3 mm. Shape:            Ovate. Color: N138B. Surface: Glabrous.        -   Flowers.—Flowers are numerous and short-lasting. A first            year plant bears from 10 to 30 newly opened flowers as the            season progresses. Fragrance: None. Shape: Single, saucer            shaped. Dimensions: Average of 3.8 cm in diameter and 5 mm            in depth.        -   Peduncles.—Shape: Round. Dimensions: 2.0-2.5 cm in length            and 1 mm in diameter. Color: 138A. Surface: Glabrous.        -   Pedicels.—Dimensions: About 3.6 cm in length and 1 mm in            diameter. Color: 138A. Surface: Glabrous.        -   Calyx and sepals.—Calyx dimensions: 4 mm in depth and 1.3 cm            in diameter. Sepals: 5, ovate, 5 mm in length and 3 mm in            width. Sepal base: Apiculate. Sepal apex: Cordate. Sepal            margin: Entire. Sepal surface: Smooth. Sepal color (both            surfaces): 150B to 150C with base 145A to 145B.        -   Petals.—Number: 5. Shape: Ovate. Dimensions: 7 mm in length            and 5 mm in width. Base: Apiculate. Apex: Cordate. Margin:            Entire. Surface: Smooth, matte, delicate. Color (both            surfaces): Pure white.        -   Reproductive organs.—Pistils: 10-15, Terete but short, less            than 0.5 mm in length. Styles: Less than 0.5 mm in length,            color 159D. Stigmas: Clavate, color 159D. Stamens: 125-150,            arranged as a shallow saucer-shaped disc. Filaments: Length            5 mm, diameter, less than 0.5 mm, color 9B. Anthers: Ovoid,            basifixed, 2 mm in length, 1 mm in width, color 9B. Pollen:            Moderate, color 14B.        -   Fruit and seed.—No fruit or seed production has been            observed.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of CISTUS plant named ‘DUNNECIS’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.